The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1887-09-23

did not think any thing about 1T much, |
but I noticed dark scowl came over |
Earl's handsome face.
cit looked as though Bessie was
rather attentive to the stranger and |
was less so to Earl, but thought that
was only natural, as he was a stranger
and Earl an old acquaintance. 1t was
one of old Bush's hobbies to make
every stranger feel at home while at
his house. Probably this was more to
gain custom than any thing else;
don't know However, Earl ate his
supper in silence, and was off again to
his engine before was half through.
left the stranger and Bess in the Office
together, chatting very pleasantly.
b" Do you know Mr.. Eubanks, TomP'
asked Earl when got to the engine,
putting a great deal of stress on the
Mr. part of his question.
q i do not replied. Why9'
d" Nothing he replied.
eve made the balance Of the run in
silence. l don't think Earl spoke a
word. I could tell though he was
writhing in the agonies of jealousy.
II don't think Earl and Bess spoke
the next trip, nor the next, nor the
next The stranger was still at the
Bush house. 1 knew from the turn
affairs had taken, or were taking, that
Earl and Bessie's wedding was off.
Although he had never told me as
much, knew that it couldn't be other
wise.
1.-THE next trip we made was Earl's
wedding night. He had on his over
alls, and was unusually solemn and
morose, not speaking to or even look
ing at me during the run of fifty miles.
I was on the point once or twice of ask
| ing him if this was not his wedding
night, but did not, KNOWN too well
that it was either indefinitely post
poned or off forever.
"When we stepped into the Office
that night old Bush met us at the door.
'''Fife minute too late, pOys! he ex-
claimed, grasping both our hands at
the same time.
"'WhyP Is supper over? asked.
"'No, no; plenty NV supper, he re-
piled, still holding our hands. 'Extrie
| supply NV supper. Der veddin'! der
veddin' watts shust happenr
1.-The wedding?' asked Earl and 1,
in a breath. Who's marriedP'
"'Why, mine Bess and Mr.. Eubanks,
NV course. Dey takes der bridal trip
terectly.'
earl fell back in dismay. Poor fell
low! / had felt all day as though
knew this would happen.
'Bess married. he gasped, looking
as white as a sheet, as he clutched my
hand.
a Yes, answered the seemingly jubi-
liant German, 'und dey leaf on your
train ternighd.'
s''Ahp answered Earl, as he strobe
back to his engine. Tender her my
congratulations.
THAT was all he said.
''What had he resolved upOn?"
81 went in to supper, feeling about
as badly as Earl, imagined, for was
really sorry for him. There were the
bride and groom, looking rs happy as s
couple could look.
"'Where is Mr.. Wendall, Uncle Tom
myP' asked Bess, as walked in.
"What should 1 say?
"'He's not coming to supper to-
night, Ireplied; 'he is notfeeling well.
- I'm sorry was her comforting re.
ply.
Il congratulated them, as under the
circumstances L was compelled to do
but could better have wrung the vii
lain's neck; for I had come to the con-
clusiOn that he was a villain.
II came out to the train with thu
bride and groom. They got on tn,
coach attached to the freight, put on n
an accommodation for passengers.
, went on down to the engine, and founC
Earl sitting upon the box with his fac
buried in his hands. He was the yer,
t picture of despair. A dark scOwl over
spread his countenance. As l climbed
, upon the engine Il low groan escape
his tightly closed lips. Poor Earl
What could do or say 20 cheer him II
in this hour of his utter despair? Will
1 was thus thinking, knowing not wha
= to say, fearing 1 might wound instea'
t Of comfort him, he sudd emily turned uI
G on me with n look 1 shall never forget
l His eyes, usually bright and sparkling
! were now flashing fire. He had nurse
< his wrath rs long as he could, and nov
: it burst forth in all its fury His teet
, chartered and his face was livid wit
e rage.
y Where are they?' he asked, grasp
ing the throttle of his engine.
- "'They have boarded the train,
q answered, in as quiet a tone as possible
: Then they go with usP
p Yes
I "'Where tO-what placer
= Providence, l believe
Il - Very we'll, he said, in a quiet tone
''By this time a dark, heavy, omin
e Gus cloud had gathered in the east
Il never saw cloud gather as quickly
, and when we left that station it wa
IS amidst the thunder's roar and Oh
d hghtning's flash. The lightning fairl
, danced on the track before us. II
e rain came down in torrents, and a
a together it was a very desolate night.
e Earl Wendall pulled his engine wild
, open, and she shot out like a cannO
st ball. Faster and faster we went, unit
]. the cars jumped and ratified as thong
d they were going to leave the trac
e every minute. 1 hardly knew whe
d we reached the first station. w
u whizzed by like a streak, not checking
rs the least. The rain was by this tin
TO binding. My hair fairly stood on en-,
Earl, seeing how frightened 1 wa
m gave loud laugh, which chilled me I
5. the very marrow of my bones. Iunde
ne stood him now. He intended to III
e the train off the track, if possible, ar
IT let every soul on board perish. Befo
I was aware of what he was doing
had disappeared through the cab wi